Planetarium

Experience Space Like Never Before

The William R. Luebke Planetarium is an instrumental learning environment within the
Science Community Center. Students studying astronomy utilize the planetarium as
a learning laboratory traveling from planet to planet within our solar system and
beyond. Such a tool allows one to experience the universe in a way far superior to
what images in a textbook can convey. Other classes, such as Earth Science, Geology,
Physics, Life Sciences, and the Humanities also visit the planetarium to bring a context
to their learning that goes far beyond the classroom.

The planetarium itself consists of a Zeiss Skymaster ZKP-4 LED/fiber-optic star projector coupled with the Zeiss Velvet Projection System. Together, these top-of-the-line projection instruments display unparalleled images
of the night sky and full-dome planetarium films onto a 40-foot suspended dome ceiling
for an audience of up to 100 people.

The Planetarium is available for reservation by groups. Please visit the GVM Tours page for more information and requirements.

Tickets

Ages

0 - 3

4 - 12

13 - 54

55+ (seniors)

Current YCCD Students/Staff

Cost

Not Recommended

$4

$6

$5

$5

Tickets available for purchase in the GVM Nature Shop. Planetarium shows are not
recommended for children under 4 years of age. Show times are on Saturdays at 11am
& 1pm. Each show is limited to the first 100. Please plan accordingly as the doors
to the Planetarium do not open once the program has begun. No food or drink is allowed inside the planetarium.

* Science Night# Generously provided by The British Fulldome Institute.

Planetarium Artwork

MJC Art Professor, Dr. Richard Serros, drew the twelve constellation star charts that
are around the outside of the planetarium building. His hand-drawn images were digitized
then engraved on metal panels. The primary stars in each constellation were drilled
through the panels and LEDs were mounted in the holes. During daylight hours, visitors
can view Dr. Serros’ conception of the constellations and at night they can see the
actual star patterns.